KEY POINTS

  • The Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters were performing missions in the vicinity of Donetsk Oblast
  • The Ka-52s were destroyed by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles
  • Kyiv also downed a Russian Su-25 twin-engine fighter aircraft in the vicinity of Bakhmut

The Ukrainian Air Force announced that the military has shot down three of Russia's "deadliest and most advanced" helicopters in 30 minutes.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters, also known as the "Alligator," were performing missions Tuesday in the vicinity of Yevhenivka in Donetsk Oblast, on the 11th-month anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, when the incident took place.

The Ukrainian Air Force said on Twitter the Ka-52s were destroyed by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missiles. Kyiv also shot down a Russian Su-25 twin-engine fighter aircraft in the vicinity of Bakhmut, the Defense Post reported.

The Ka-52, the $13-million single-seat helicopter, is an all-weather attack chopper. Since the war in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, the Ka52s deployed in the country have heavily damaged Kyiv's military assets, including tanks and military vehicles.

A video recently shared on Twitter showed an Alligator blowing up a Ukrainian defensive position near Donetsk Oblast.

"The threat of air and missile strikes across Ukraine remains high," spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Kovalyov, wrote on Facebook. "The enemy continues to conduct offensive operations on Bakhmut axis, suffering numerous casualties. On Lyman and Avdiivka axes, the invaders conducted unsuccessful offensives, all enemy attacks were repelled."

"The enemy does not stop shelling settlements along the line of contact. Over 30x settlements came under tank, mortar, and artillery fire. Among the affected settlements are Huta-Studenets'ka, Buchky, Mykhal'chyna Sloboda (Chernihiv oblast), Novovasylivka, Sopych, Kucherivka, Studenok, Kozache, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Stukalivka, Vorozhba, Volfyne, Yunakivka (Sumy oblast), as well as Basove, Hur'yiv Kozachok, Vetarynarne, Vesele, Vovchans'k, Varvarivka, and Hryhorivka (Kharkiv oblast)."

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook also said Russian forces carried out 44 airstrikes, of which 18 were done using Shahed-136 drones. The Ukrainian military claimed that all kamikaze drones have been shot down.

However, International Business Times cannot independently verify the claims.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force conducted eight airstrikes on areas of concentration of Russian occupation forces.

Russia also launched an air battle in Ukraine as the United States agreed to send dozens of M1 Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian military.

Russian missiles battered Ukraine on Thursday, including on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv
Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. AFP
Read more